By Eleanor Bate, Second Year Philosophy
Having attended their ‘All Distortions Are Intentional' tour back in 2022, I was itching to get loose with the boys again at their ‘Dumbstruck Dumbf!@k’ tour, sharing its name with their most recent album. Luckily enough, I managed to score a resale ticket at the last minute.
The show kicked off with opener One Step Closer, and despite the tough task of hyping up a crowd who had likely never heard of them, vocalist Ryan Savitski made them impossible to ignore.
They went above and beyond, urging the audience to ramp up their energy and keep the security guards on their toes, catching a constant stream of crowd surfers.
Both Dan Campbell of The Wonder Years and Ben Barlow of Neck Deep individually offered the band their flowers, encouraging the crowd to keep an eye on these rising pop-punk stars who were anything but shy.
It was time for The Wonder Years to make their splash. As a band that rarely plays in a supporting slot, they made damn sure their set was a tough act to follow.
As a staple of the alternative rock scene, their impact is undeniable as vocalist Dan Campbell had almost every word of their 45-minute set sung back to him. From middle-aged men to teenage girls, The Wonder Years had the entire crowd in their grip. As far as support acts go, it doesn’t get much better than this.
On to the main event. Neck Deep had sprung onto stage to the namesake track of the tour, ‘Dumbstruck Dumbf!@k’.
The room was full to the brim with electrifying excitement, and suddenly the foot pain I was complaining of moments before is non-existent as I’m bouncing along with the band to this upbeat track.
After the first five songs, all from their 2024 album, lead singer Ben Barlow took a moment to thank the crowd for 'putting up with the new stuff'. It’s a common insecurity for long-standing bands, but it was clear the crowd had already embraced these new tracks in the short time since their release.
Despite that, the crowd roared at the mention of Life’s Not Out To Get You, an album turning 10 years old this August, and set to prove themselves as true fans as they screamed every word of 'The Beach Is For Lovers (Not Lonely Losers)'.
With their setlist, the band struck the perfect balance between hardcore tracks with upbeat energy, perfect for moshing and crowd surfing, and more heartfelt, meaningful tunes with the likes of 'Go Outside!', which deals with struggles of mental health.
After the uproar that was 'Can’t Kick Up The Roots', Ben demanded that boys stand to the side for an ‘all girls mosh pit’ during 'She’s A God', a song about admiring a woman to the point of religion; and offered high-fives to each girl carried over the barrier after surfing on the sea of punks.
As the night drew to a close, it was time for their encore. Following a rowdy 'F*ck Neck Deep' chant, the band flooded back onto the stage, taking a moment to remind fans of the true spirit of punk.
Preaching equality in the face of widespread injustice—especially under the Trump administration and its alarming impact on trans rights, immigration rights, and beyond—they made it clear: unity was the word of the night.
Introducing their next song, 'We Need More Bricks', lead vocalist Ben—sporting a 'No War' T-shirt—delivered a message that feels more urgent by the day: 'Know your f*cking enemy'.
The song became a rallying cry against power-hungry, bigoted politicians and unjust laws, a call to resist rather than lay down.
The night wrapped up with the crowd favourite, 'In Bloom'. Even after the show, the band continued to show their humility, with each member signing a setlist and handing it to a young fan in the front row, along with their drumsticks and guitar picks.
Beyond their music, it's clear why Neck Deep remain so loved—they’re genuinely good guys.
Featured Image: Eleanor BateDo you think that the ideals of punk are becoming more topical than ever?
